Senate Partisanship Worst in Memory

Key Legislation Languishes as Democrats and Republicans Jockey for Power

The Senate was bogged down in its latest snarl last Wednesday when an angry John McCain (R-Ariz.) blurted out publicly what many colleagues have been muttering in private: "Why don't we just go home . . . rather than go through this charade of telling Americans that we are legislating?"

McCain's tart observation reflected the paralysis that has gripped the Senate this year. The Senate is famously known for its painfully slow pace and legislative quicksand, and few had high hopes for significant achievements this year. But a breakdown in comity, the razor-thin GOP majority and expectations of a tight battle for Senate control in November have combined to produced one of the worst Senate stalemates in memory.

The list of stalled legislation is long, on issues ranging from energy and welfare to compensation for asbestos victims and curbs on medical malpractice lawsuits and other forms of civil litigation. Foreign tariffs have been imposed on many American products while the Senate dawdled over a bill to substitute corporate tax cuts for subsidies that have been outlawed by the World Trade Organization.

Senate Democrats, angry at being excluded from final decisions on bills, are balking at authorizing House-Senate conferences on several measures, including the huge highway funding bill, unless they can work out key points in preliminary negotiations. Action on President Bush's judicial nominations has ground to a halt. Even a relatively noncontroversial bill to reauthorize State Department and foreign aid programs was shelved by Republicans after Democrats signaled they would try to add unrelated amendments on issues such as raising the minimum wage.

Sen. Robert C. Byrd (D-W.Va.) complained that the Senate has become "a factory that manufactures sound-bite votes that make great fodder for 30-second political ads" but do little to advance important legislation. If this continues, Byrd added, the Senate will become "little more than an insignificant arm of the political parties, and we may as well lower the flag that flies over this Capitol and wave the white flag of surrender in its place."

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A59731-2004May1.html

against Bush's neocon nightmare.

,...for THE PEOPLE.

the democrats compromise and basically take the republican line in their race to the center, which also strangely enough, is now 75% to the right, on the continuim.

i would think that we would have had enough of it. but most americans could not care less, as long as they have a survivor, or the donald to watch, or their favorite team in the playoffs.

the problem is that the good'ol boys (and girls), although (allegedly) diametrically opposed, leave the senate and go chit chat, have a drink together, and otherwise go back to their cushy lives, patting each other on the back for a charade well done.

the other part of the problem is a populace that has been dumbed down to the point of irrelevance, or bought off with the ability to consume nifty gadgets. except the greedy rich, who care only about their portfolios, damn the "little" people.

our elected representatives need to be reluctant. they need to feel the anger and pain that their decisions cause the rest of us. they need to be ashamed of what they have done.

why in hell should our democratic representatives want to be friends with, or even civil to, people who are trying their best to destroy the democratic priciples that are the foundation of this country?

as long as they are all members of one big club, nothing will change. they have it made, and they know it. no rocking of boats there.

sadly to say, but the democrats should literally hate what the opposing party is trying to do, and make it clear in no uncertain terms.

but they don't. it's all just a game to them. and everyone wins if they get reelected.

so the problem continues.

legislators who work for the betterment of the country and its citizens instead of partisans who work only for the betterment of their cronies.

It's up to them. And it's THEIR RESPONSIBILITY at this point.

around the time of secession?

over an anti-slavery speech, though it pains me to write this fact lest I be accused of "bashing" the noble and innocent Southern politicians of the Secession era.

Many took to coming to Congress armed with knives and pistols, and on occasion one politican (generally a noble and innocent Southerner) would challenge another to a duel.

But, back in the early days of the Republic partisanship was much worse. Jefferson and Hamilton and other early republicans and federalists were really vicious towards one another. And then the slavery debates got really dangerous as well.

(just kidding, sort of). Of course you're right. But then again, anything beyond abbout 1988 is beyond memory to most people, because NOBODY READS FREAKING HISTORY!!!!

and the boy king, the Repubs have trashed the authority of the House and Senate in favor of the Imperial Presidency, and they signed up under a crappy emperor too.

This is some of the most difficult damage to undo, since it severely undermines any "checks and balances", as well as having scum like Scalia on the SCOTUS bench.

The GOP has an "us against them" mentality. They're not the least bit interested in doing what's best for the country or for their constituents. All they care about is furthering the party’s right-wing agenda, making their cronies and supporters richer, and consolidating power to the point where our Democracy will cease to exist. They refuse to compromise on legislation, they refuse to discuss or debate any issue, and they routinely use the floors of the Senate and the House to trash and ridicule anyone who dares to disagree with the GOP.

What they’re doing has absolutely nothing to do with liberty, freedom, justice or Democracy. In fact, their behavior is specifically designed to undermine liberty, freedom, justice and Democracy. They bully, blackmail, bribe, lie, cheat and steal to get what they want. They are destroying our country and I only wish there was some way to break up the GOP like we would any other monopoly. They’re no longer a political party – they’re a cabal.

when reagan was elected -- and nothing has changed that.
dems need to get their own back.
repukes can cry me a river.

Hurry, go get an ink re-fill!!!!

"partisanship" my ass. Bunch of sycophants who occassionally remember their spines.

When the Democrats were the majority, legislation was accomplished, because the Democrats were inclusive. The Republicans have this go it alone attitude that in reality doesn't work. It doesn't work in Congress and it doesn't work in Iraq and it doesn't work anywhere. But it is a hoot to listen to the babies squeel.

...rebuking Richard Clarke for apologizing to the 9/11 families. :eyes:

They sure did.

1. Agree with Repugs.

2. Act as insidious and nefarious traitors against all that is good and right about the United States of America, one nation UNDER GOD.

I can't imagine why, given these choices, there is any problem at all in finding a reasonable middle ground.

Congress does far more damage than good.

... of this legislation should never see the light of day anyway. The American people win for a change :)

A shitty omnibus bill later this year.